Adolph Lewisohn Stadium(1915-1973). Designed
by Arnold W. Brunner to resemble a classical amphitheater and constructed
of concrete,
the stadium was the fulfillment of President John H. Finley’s dream. The dream
would not have been realized without the generosity of Adolph Lewisohn,
a leading industrialist who came to New York as a teenager from his native
Germany. Lewisohn’s financial support of the project allowed for the
creation of a great public space which became the site of elaborate theatrical
events such as the production of The Trojan Women at the dedication ceremony
on May 29, 1915. A summer concert series was inaugurated with a production
of Aida in 1917 and continuing until 1966 under the leadership of Mrs. Charles
S. “Minnie” Guggenheimer.
The stadium was the site of City College athletic events and commencement
ceremonies. From its inception, the stadium was more than a City
College institution; it became a municipal, indeed, a national meeting place.
This was as its donor
and College authorities desired. As the years went by, enrollment
increased creating a need for new research facilities, classrooms, libraries,
and faculty
offices. The decision in 1973 to destroy Lewisohn Stadium was precipitated
by this need for more space to insure that City College could fulfill
its academic mission. Presently the North Academic Center stands where the
stadium
once was.